Shabnam Hashmi, renowned socio-political activist and founding Director of ANHAD, today resigned from all UPA government committees in protest against what she called “connivance” of the leading UPA partner to make sure the victory of BJP in Gujarat.
Shabnam Hashmi spoke over phone with Ismail Khan giving her first reaction.
Shabnam Hashmi
TCN: What made you think that the Congress played a role in Modi’s victory?
SH: There was so severe anti-Modi wave that, on December 16 local news channels started telecasting reports of nervous Modi shifting his files away from the secretariat. Congress leaders were also enthusiastic in their campaigns. Then suddenly whole scenario changed. Congress party’s zeal died down and next day Narendra Modi comes out like an already declared champ and announces his victory.
TCN: In your official statement you mentioned about foreign diplomats visiting Gujarat…
SH: Many foreign agencies, including US internal agencies were present during the time of elections in Gujarat. They could have tempered with electronic voting machines (EVM’s) and the presence of foreign agencies during election period couldn’t have happened without the convenience of UPA central Govt.
TCN: Why would Congress party do such an act of supporting their biggest rival as alleged by you?
SH: There could be many reasons, like they might want to keep secular forces at national level stick to them as their savior, by using the image of Modi in Gujarat. At the end of the day Congress is also a political party.
TCN: There was an overwhelming feeling before the elections that Modi will win as predicted by many mainstream media outlets, what makes you think differently?
SH: I worked in Gujarat as a social activist during 2002 and 2007 elections; the wave of anti-incumbency was severe this time against Modi. Gujarat was different during this election; there were protests in rural Gujarat from farmers and other workers. Many Guajarati’s voted against him contrary to the perception created, even the urban middle class voted against him.
As far as predictions of corporate media are concern they were supportive of Modi for a long time, it doesn’t surprise meif they predicted his win.
TCN: After this resignation what is your next step?
SH: Well I have done my bit as a citizen of India to shake the conscience of the Indian society. Now it’s time for the Congress party to do some soul searching.
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